Differential expression of var gene groups is associated with morbidity caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection in Tanzanian children

TY - JOUR

T1 - Differential expression of var gene groups is associated with morbidity caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection in Tanzanian children

AU - Rottmann, Matthias

AU - Lavstsen, Thomas

AU - Mugasa, Joseph Paschal

AU - Kaestli, Mirjam

AU - Jensen, Anja T R

AU - Müller, Dania

AU - Theander, Thor

AU - Beck, Hans-Peter

N1 - Keywords: Animals; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Malaria, Falciparum; Male; Morbidity; Plasmodium falciparum; Protozoan Proteins; Severity of Illness Index; Tanzania; Variation (Genetics)

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - The var gene family of Plasmodium falciparum encodes the variant surface antigen Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). PfEMP1 is considered an important pathogenicity factor in P. falciparum infection because it mediates cytoadherence to host cell endothelial receptors. var genes can be grouped into three major groups, A, B, and C, and the conserved var genes, var1-4, according to sequence similarities in coding and noncoding upstream regions. Using real-time quantitative PCR in a study conducted in Tanzania, the var transcript abundances of the different var gene groups were compared among patients with severe, uncomplicated, and asymptomatic malaria. Transcripts of var group A and B genes were more abundant in patients with severe malaria than in patients with uncomplicated malaria. In general, the transcript abundances of var group A and B genes were higher for children with clinical malaria than for children with asymptomatic infections. The var group C and var1-like transcript abundances were similar between the three sample groups. A transcript abundance pattern similar to that for var group A was observed for var2csa and var3-like genes. These results suggest that substantial and systematic differences in var gene expression exist between different clinical presentations.

AB - The var gene family of Plasmodium falciparum encodes the variant surface antigen Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). PfEMP1 is considered an important pathogenicity factor in P. falciparum infection because it mediates cytoadherence to host cell endothelial receptors. var genes can be grouped into three major groups, A, B, and C, and the conserved var genes, var1-4, according to sequence similarities in coding and noncoding upstream regions. Using real-time quantitative PCR in a study conducted in Tanzania, the var transcript abundances of the different var gene groups were compared among patients with severe, uncomplicated, and asymptomatic malaria. Transcripts of var group A and B genes were more abundant in patients with severe malaria than in patients with uncomplicated malaria. In general, the transcript abundances of var group A and B genes were higher for children with clinical malaria than for children with asymptomatic infections. The var group C and var1-like transcript abundances were similar between the three sample groups. A transcript abundance pattern similar to that for var group A was observed for var2csa and var3-like genes. These results suggest that substantial and systematic differences in var gene expression exist between different clinical presentations.

U2 - 10.1128/IAI.02073-05

DO - 10.1128/IAI.02073-05

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16790763

SN - 0019-9567

VL - 74

SP - 3904

EP - 3911

JO - Infection and Immunity

JF - Infection and Immunity

IS - 7

ER -